Dozens of residents gathered to have their say on plans to move asylum seekers to East Cleveland.

The drop-in meeting at Loftus Town Hall quickly turned into a heated debate as residents voiced concerns over rumours to develop a building on the town’s high street into accommodation for families seeking asylum.

It is understood there are four projected properties which could be used, with one being leased on West Road.

Redcar and Cleveland Council and G4S - the Government’s private contractor which handles the dispersal of asylum seekers - faced a grilling from concerned residents at Monday’s meeting.

Many residents said they were angry because they felt they had been “left in the dark” about the plans, while others said they did not understand who would live at the sites and if they should be worried for their families.

Councillor Mary Lanigan welcomed the meeting with a statement on behalf of a director at Redcar and Cleveland Council following a meeting with G4S hours earlier.

The statement read: “The view expressed by G4S is that they are prepared to work with us and the local community where any dispersals will take place.

“They feel they need a bit of time to reflect on the situation in Loftus and the issues raised in the community. And haven’t yet made any decisions on particular properties in question.”

Public Meeting at Loftus Town Hall to discuss possible asylum seekers/ illegal immigrants coming to Loftus

Cllr Lanigan told the meeting how she was unaware of any plans to house asylum seekers in the area.

She said: “I wasn’t best pleased when I met with a council director because I think in situations like this, it should have been courtesy that the council was informed.

“We’ve had refugees here before and the people have embraced them.

“We don’t have the infrastructure at Loftus, nor have we got the police, nor have we got anything for these people. It is not fair for these people as they can’t work and we can’t provide for them.”